Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his comments and welcome the commitment to provide a model 3 hospital along with University Hospital Limerick, which is a model 4 hospital. On the issue of the build, we need to know whether the accident and emergency unit will be completed by 2016. We represent the patients and constituents in Limerick and we know that the issue of overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick is not going to disappear unless the accident and emergency build and fit-out is fast-tracked. The shell of the building is complete and the main contractors are due to come off-site shortly. However, it seems the fit-out will not start until November. Why is it not happening sooner? We need this accident and emergency unit to open.

The HSE is coming before the Committee of Public Accounts tomorrow and I have alerted it that I intend to raise this issue there. I represent the people of Limerick City and this issue is of huge significance for them. I will also raise the issue with those in the management of University Hospital Limerick when I meet them next Monday. We are all on the same page on this. It is about patient safety and looking after hospital staff. The biggest issue raised in the report was overcrowding in the accident and emergency unit. Therefore, we need to bring forward the new purpose-built, state-of-the-art facility as soon as possible.

These are legitimate questions that I have been asked to ask on behalf of the people of Limerick and people who use the accident and emergency unit. Many of these people are elderly patients and they have been in touch with us regularly on the issue of overcrowding. Now is the time to act. We have the opportunity, so we should fast-track this project and work together.

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